Strawberry plant variety named ‘DrisStrawSixtyThree’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of strawberry plant named ‘DrisStrawSixtyThree’, particularly characterized by its early yield potential, fruit size and shape, compact plant size, and plant health, is disclosed.

Latin name:

Botanical classification: Fragaria x ananassa.

Varietal denomination: The varietal denomination of the claimed variety of strawberry plant is ‘DrisStrawSixtyThree’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Cultivated strawberry is a hybrid species of the genus Fragaria that is grown worldwide for its fruit. Modern strawberry was first bred in Brittany, France, in the 18^(th) century by crossing Fragaria virginiana with Fragaria chiloensis. Strawberry fruit is an aggregate accessory fruit, with the fleshy part of the fruit being derived from the receptacle that holds the ovaries.

Strawberry varieties vary widely in color, size, shape, flavor, season of ripening, degree of fertility, and susceptibility to disease. Certain varieties vary in foliage, and some vary in the relative development of their reproductive organs. Typically, strawberry flowers appear hermaphroditic in structure, but function as either male or female. Generally, commercial production of strawberry plants involves propagation from runners and distribution as either plugs or bare root plants. Cultivation is either perennial or annual plasticulture. During the off season, strawberries can also be produced in greenhouses.

Strawberry fruit is widely appreciated for its characteristic bright red color, aroma, juicy texture, and sweetness. Strawberry fruit is a popular fruit that is generally consumed either fresh or in prepared foods, such as preserves and baked goods.

Strawberry is an important and valuable fruit crop. Accordingly, there is a need for new varieties of strawberry plants. In particular, there is a need for improved varieties of strawberry plant that are stable, high yielding, and agronomically sound.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In order to meet these needs, the present invention is directed to an improved variety of strawberry plant. In particular, the invention relates to a new and distinct variety of strawberry plant (Fragaria x ananassa), which has been denominated as ‘DrisStrawSixtyThree’.

Strawberry plant variety ‘DrisStrawSixtyThree’ was selected in Tapalpa, Mexico in 2012, and originated from a cross between the proprietary female parent ‘DrisStrawTwentyFive’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 23,382) and the proprietary male parent ‘7Q136’ (unpatented). A single plant was selected and asexually propagated via stolons in Zapotlan el Grande, Mexico in 2012.

‘DrisStrawSixtyThree’ was subsequently asexually propagated via stolons, and underwent testing at a farm in Tapalpa, Mexico for six years. The present variety has been found to be stable and reproduce true to type through successive asexual propagations via stolons.

‘DrisStrawSixtyThree’ exhibits the following distinguishing characteristics over other similar varieties when grown under normal horticultural practices in Tapalpa, Mexico:

-   -   1. Yield potential;     -   2. Fruit size; and     -   3. Disease resistances.

‘DrisStrawSixtyThree’ was selected for its early yield potential, fruit size and shape, compact plant size, and plant health.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

This new strawberry plant is illustrated by the accompanying photographs which show fruit and leaves of the plant. The colors shown are as true as can be reasonably obtained by conventional photographic procedures. The photographs are of plants that are six months old.

FIG. 1 illustrates whole fruit of variety ‘DrisStrawSixtyThree’.

FIG. 2 illustrates longitudinal cross-sections of fruit of variety ‘DrisStrawSixtyThree’.

FIG. 3 illustrates both the upper and lower surfaces of flowers of variety ‘DrisStrawSixtyThree’.

FIG. 4A illustrates the upper surface of a leaf of variety ‘DrisStrawSixtyThree’.

FIG. 4B illustrates the lower surface of a leaf of variety ‘DrisStrawSixtyThree’.

FIG. 5 illustrates whole plants of variety ‘DrisStrawSixtyThree’.

DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW VARIETY

The following detailed descriptions set forth the distinctive characteristics of ‘DrisStrawSixtyThree’. The data which define these characteristics is based on observations taken in Tapalpa, Mexico for six years. This description is in accordance with UPOV terminology. Color designations, color descriptions, and other phenotypical descriptions may deviate from the stated values and descriptions depending upon variation in environmental, seasonal, climatic, and cultural conditions. ‘DrisStrawSixtyThree’ has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. The botanical description of ‘DrisStrawSixtyThree’ was taken from plants that were six months old. The indicated values represent averages calculated from measurements of several plants. Color references are primarily to The R.H.S. Colour Chart of The Royal Horticultural Society of London (R.H.S.) (2007 edition). Descriptive terminology follows the Plant Identification Terminology, An Illustrated Glossary, 2^(nd) edition by James G. Harris and Melinda Woolf Harris, unless where otherwise defined.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE PLANT

-   Classification:     -   -   Species.—Fragaria x ananassa.         -   Common name.—Strawberry.         -   Denomination.—‘DrisStrawSixtyThree’. -   Parentage:     -   -   Female parent.—The proprietary variety ‘DrisStrawTwentyFive’             (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 23,382)         -   Male parent.—The proprietary variety ‘7Q136’ (unpatented). -   Plant:     -   -   Height.—21.5 cm.         -   Diameter.—35.7 cm.         -   Number of crowns/plant.—7.         -   Growth habit.—Spreading. -   Stolon:     -   -   Average number of daughter plants per square foot.—10.         -   Diameter at bract.—3.13 mm.         -   Anthocyanin coloration.—Absent. -   Leaf:     -   -   Number of leaflets.—Three only.         -   Color of upper surface.—RHS 136A (Dark green).         -   Color of lower surface.—RHS 138A (Moderate yellowish green).         -   Variegation.—Absent.         -   Terminal leaflets.—Length: 9.8 cm. Width: 8.6 cm.             Length/width ratio: 1.1. Number of teeth/terminal             leaflet: 28. Leaflet shape: Obicular. Shape of apex:             Rounded. Shape of base: Rounded. Margin: Serrate to crenate.             Shape in cross section: Concave.         -   Petiole.—Length: 15.5 cm. Diameter: 5.25 mm. Color: RHS 145B             (Light yellow green). Attitude of hairs: Upwards. Bract             frequency (number present on each petiole): 2.         -   Petiolule.—Length: 10.00 mm. Diameter: 3.05 mm. Color: RHS             145B (Light yellow green).         -   Stipule.—Length: 2.0 cm. Width: 17.58 mm. Anthocyanin             coloration: Present. Anthocyanin color: RHS 50B (Deep pink). -   Inflorescence:     -   -   Position in relation to foliage.—Above.         -   Pedicel.—Length: 10 cm. Diameter: 2.5 mm. Color: RHS 145C             (Light yellow green). Attitude of hairs: Upwards.         -   Flower.—Flower diameter (petal tip to petal tip on             non-flattened flower): 29.10 mm. Flower depth: 13 mm.             Arrangement of petals: Overlapping. Stamen: Present. Typical             and observed number of flowers per plant: 16.80.         -   Petal.—Length: 15.40 mm. Width: 15.50 mm. Petal shape:             Orbicular. Shape of apex: Rounded. Shape of base:             Concavo-convex. Margin: Entire. Length/width ratio: 1.0.             Typical and observed petal number: 6. Color of upper             surface: RHS 157D (Greenish white). Color of lower surface:             RHS 155C (Greenish white).         -   Calyx.—Diameter (sepal tip to sepal tip, measured on back of             flower): 43.11 mm.         -   Sepal.—Length (sepal tip to point of attachment to             receptacle): 22.40 mm. Width: 15.40 mm. Color of upper             surface: RHS 139B (Moderate yellowish green). Color of lower             surface: RHS 144A (Strong yellowish green). Sepal shape:             Elliptical. Shape of apex: Truncate. Margin: Entire. Typical             and observed sepal number: approximately 7. -   Fruit:     -   -   Length.—46.70 mm.         -   Width.—39.00 mm.         -   Weight (individual fruit).—26.8 g.         -   Length/width ratio.—1.2.         -   Fruit hollow length.—20.40 mm.         -   Fruit hollow width.—10.40 mm.         -   Fruit hollow length/width ratio.—2.0.         -   Shape.—Conical.         -   Color.—RHS 45B (Vivid red).         -   Position of achenes.—Level with surface.         -   Color of achenes.—RHS 1B (Brilliant greenish yellow).         -   Position of calyx attachment.—Level with fruit.         -   Attitude of sepals.—Outwards.         -   Color of flesh (excluding core).—RHS 44A (Vivid red).         -   Color of core.—RHS 43B (Vivid reddish orange).         -   Fruiting truss.—Length: 26 cm. Diameter: 5 mm. Color: RHS             144B (Strong yellow green). Number of berries per truss: 7             berries. -   Production:     -   -   Flowering interval.—October to April.         -   Harvest interval.—October to April.         -   Type of bearing.—Not remontant.         -   Productivity.—30199 kg to 35941 kg of fruit per hectare per             season from six-month-old plants when grown in Tapalpa,             Mexico. -   Resistance to abiotic stress, pests and diseases:     -   -   Two-spotted spider mite (tetranychus urticae).—Moderately             susceptible.         -   Botrytis fruit rot (botrytis cinerea).—Moderately resistant.         -   Powdery mildew (podosphaera macularis).—Moderately             resistant.         -   Xanthomonas fragariae.—Moderately resistant.

COMPARISON WITH PARENTAL AND COMMERCIAL VARIETIES

‘DrisStrawSixtyThree’ differs from the proprietary female parent ‘DrisStrawTwentyFive’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 23,382) in that plants of ‘DrisStrawSixtyThree’ produce higher yields of fruit than plants of ‘DrisStrawTwentyFive’. Moreover, plants of ‘DrisStrawSixtyThree’ are moderately resistant to botrytis fruit rot and powdery mildew, whereas plants of ‘DrisStrawTwentyFive’ are susceptible to botrytis fruit rot and powdery mildew. Additionally, fruit of ‘DrisStrawSixtyThree’ are more firm than fruit of ‘DrisStrawTwentyFive’.

‘DrisStrawSixtyThree’ differs from the proprietary male parent ‘7Q136’ (unpatented) in that fruit of ‘DrisStrawSixtyThree’ are smaller in size, less firm, and have a sweeter flavor than fruit of ‘7Q136’.

‘DrisStrawSixtyThree’ differs from the commercial variety ‘DrisStrawTwentySeven’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 23,400) in that plants of ‘DrisStrawSixtyThree’ have few flowers, while plants of ‘DrisStrawTwentySeven’ have a medium number of flowers. Additionally, plants of ‘DrisStrawSixtyThree’ have stolons where anthocyanin coloration is absent, while plants of ‘DrisStrawTwentySeven’ have stolons where anthocyanin coloration is present. Moreover, ‘DrisStrawSixtyThree’ has a shape of base of terminal leaflet that is rounded, a terminal leaflet margin that is serrate to crenate, attitude of petiole hairs that is upwards, position of achenes that is level with surface of fruit, position of calyx attachment that is level with fruit, and moderate resistance to botrytis fruit rot, powdery mildew, and Xanthomonas fragariae; whereas ‘DrisStrawTwentySeven’ has a shape of base of terminal leaflet that is obtuse, a terminal leaflet margin that is serrate, attitude of petiole hairs that is outwards-horizontal, position of achenes that is below surface of fruit, position of calyx attachment that is above fruit, is susceptible to botrytis fruit rot, and is moderately susceptible to powdery mildew and Xanthomonas fragariae

‘DrisStrawSixtyThree’ differs from the commercial variety ‘Driscoll El Dorado’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 16,238) in that plants of ‘DrisStrawSixtyThree’ have sparse foliage and are moderately resistant to botrytis fruit rot and Xanthomonas fragariae, while plants of ‘Driscoll El Dorado’ have dense foliage, are susceptible to botrytis fruit rot, and moderately susceptible to Xanthomonas fragariae. Additionally, terminal leaflets of ‘DrisStrawSixtyThree’ have a rounded shape of base, while terminal leaflets of ‘Driscoll El Dorado’ have an acute shape of base. Moreover, fruit of ‘DrisStrawSixtyThree’ have a position of achenes that is level with surface of fruit and medium red flesh, while fruit of ‘Driscoll El Dorado’ have a position of achenes that is below the surface of fruit and orange red flesh. Further, ‘DrisStrawSixtyThree’ has a bearing that is not remontant, while ‘Driscoll El Dorado’ has a bearing that is partially remontant. 

We claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of strawberry plant named ‘DrisStrawSixtyThree’ as shown and described herein. 